When you get behind the wheel of a car, you buckle your safety belt. Even if you live in New Hampshire, where there are no seat belt laws, your car will likely make driving without one as annoying as possible in an effort to get you to buckle up. The same goes for children, as it's unheard of (and illegal) these days for a parent to toss a child into a car without a car seat, booster seat, or other approved restraint system.
Believe it or not, you should be thinking about the same sort of restraint for your dog. The family pet can not only get seriously injured in a crash, but they can become a danger to everyone else in the vehicle. Buying a dog car seat or restraint doesn't make you a weirdo, obsessing over pampering your pet. It's one of the most valuable car accessories for your dog that you can purchase. It means that you've considered the animal's safety and made a conscious decision to protect it and you from serious injury in a wreck.
What Is a Dog Car Seat?
Much like the safety seats you use for a child, a dog car seat is a way to restrain your pet in the event of an accident. Pet car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes, just like the animals they protect. Depending on the model, these can be booster seats, tether-style, or another type of seat.
It's important to remember that, when we say dog car seat, we're not talking about a dog bed that sits on the bench seat in the back of your car. We're talking about a seat that actually restrains the animal in the event of a crash and that keeps them from causing major distraction at other times. Finally, the term dog car seat can refer to a harness, which can work well for some dogs but not others. Rather than acting as a seat, the harnesses function more like a seat belt system for your pet, and helps hold them in place much like the belt would for you.
Why Do I Need a Dog Car Seat?
If you have ever slammed on your brakes and had your mobile phone, purse, or other item go flying around your car's interior, you can start to see how a dog could become a dangerous projectile in a crash. Dogs have no perception of safety, and even one that is well behaved lying in the back seat can fly forward and cause a bunch of damage in a crash. Dog car seats, tethers, and other restraints help prevent this, and they can even improve a driver's ability to focus by keeping the dog out of their face or lap while driving.
How Do Dog Car Seats Work?
Dog car seats are anchored into the vehicle to prevent the movement of a dog in the event of a crash. They are typically installed in a vehicle's back seat but can be set up in the front seat as well. They can be anchored using the vehicle's seat belts, and they can also prevent the dog from running around in the vehicle during car rides, which is a major source of distraction for the driver.
Depending on the size and type of the dog, the car seat may take on a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are shaped like dog beds, and allow the dog to either lie down or sit comfortably. Small dogs may be able to ride in a hammock-style car seat. Brands such as Kurgo make convertible hammock systems that allow different installation methods for smaller dogs or larger dogs. These can also function as dog car seat covers, which protect the interior of the car.
Since even the best dogs can be smelly from time to time and may jump into cars while muddy or dirty, most dog car seats are easily removable and are washable.
Are Dog Car Seats Better than Just a Safety Harness?
Unlike safety seats for children and car safety systems for adults, testing for dog car seats is not widespread and does not receive the same rigor as safety tests for people. The reality is that all pet-travel-related safety products have benefits and weaknesses. It's also important to remember that dogs come in many more shapes and sizes than people do, so large dogs need different restraint systems than medium dogs, who in turn need different restraint systems than small dogs. Some testing has suggested that harnesses and other restraints are most effective when a dog is in a certain position, so you'll want to be aware of those limitations if you are shopping for a harness.
All of that said, a safety harness can be a great alternative to a dog car seat, but it has to be designed to spread the force of an impact out as much as possible. Large dogs wearing small safety harnesses may not be as protected, since the force of a crash is concentrated in a small area on their bodies. The car harness is attached to the seatbelt or other anchor point and allows some movement, but not enough to let the dog run around in the vehicle. If you are on the hunt for a dog harness, find one that offers adjustable straps and that has a secure way of attachment to the car seat belt.
If you want the best dog car seat, find one that gives your pet a place to rest while also protecting them in a crash. You don't have to go all out on the fanciest brands with quilted covers and deluxe features, but you do need to find one that matches your dog's size and weight. You will also notice that some pet safety seats are far closer to being just a dog car booster seat than they are to being an actual restraint system for your dog. Find one that offers support and restraint for the best results.
What Is the Best Way to Protect My Dog in the Car?
Even the best dog carriers, dog seat belts, and other dog travel safety systems have weaknesses. Safety tests carried out by the Center for Pet Safety found that the best way to protect your dog on a road trip is to install a crate or other box-like container system. The problem here is that not every vehicle can accommodate such a large carrier.
Knowing that, the best safety system for your pet is one that fits them and that they can tolerate. Some dogs can't stand having things attached to them, such as coats and harnesses, so a restraint system that causes them to flail around won't offer much protection. The same thing goes for booster seat-style restraints. If you have a large dog that can't fit into the seat properly, the animal won't be very well protected in the event of a crash. Finally, if you are shopping for a harness, seek out a model that is designed for dogs of the appropriate size. Harnesses need to distribute force across a dog's body in a crash, and one that is too small can deliver too much force in one area.
What Should I Look For in a Dog Carrier?
When shopping for a dog car seat, you should be looking for many of the same characteristics that you'd look for in a pet carrier. You'll want a water-resistant, machine washable cover that can be removed if the dog has car sickness, or if you have to carry the dog after it romps through the mud at the dog park. You may want to consider a headrest or other comfort items to make your dog feel protected and secure in the car. Some larger car seats can double as pet beds and have useful features such as storage pockets that make them ideal for long-haul travel and make them more useful than just as a pet car booster seat.
Where Should I Buy a Dog Car Seat (and What Are Some Good Brands)?
As it is with many other products, the internet is a treasure trove of pet safety gear. Online retail giants like Amazon carry several great brands, including Snoozer, whose Luxury Lookout II dog seats are highly rated by customers. K&H Pet Products and the PetSafe Happy Ride are two other well-known brands that sell on Amazon.
Another major pet retailer worth checking out is Chewy. The company offers pet gear for all kinds of animals, including dogs. Buyers can select a variety of shipping and payment options at checkout and there are frequently discounts or sales that lessen the costs involved.
Buying a car seat for your dog can be stressful and challenging. Dogs are loved and valued members of many families, so their owners tend to opt for the best products that offer the safest ride. The sheer number and variety of seats, restraints, harnesses, and other products can be daunting, however, so it's important to do your research to find the product that best fits your dog's size and activity level. At the end of the day, protecting your dog is important, but if you can't get them comfortable enough to actually stay in the seat, you won't be doing anyone much good.
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